Ash tray



Feb. 1 1927.

ASH TRAY Filed F m 1925 ENTOR, JOHN BILLION ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb). ii. 192?.

l tilld lll y; 1 t o iii ibl ll roam W. BILLION, @F L08 ANGELEfi CALTFQR'NTA.

ASE.

Application filed February This invention relates to ash trays.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved ash tray, the use of which will prevent the soiling of the table v or furniture on which the tray is used.

' A. specific object of the invention is to provide an ash tray which is provided with a groove about one edge of such a size that it will receive the burning end of a cigarette so that it may be extinguished.

A. further object of the invention is to provide an ash tray which has a cigarette or cigar holder mounted intermediate the sides of the tray so that ashes from the burning cigarette or cigar will fall into the tray regardless 0i how cigarette or cigar is placed. Another object of the invention is to provide an ash tray with cigarette supporting portions and cutting portions on which the outer edge of a. cigarette may be pressed to remove the ash evenly.

@ther objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ash tray embodying the features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the tray; Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4, Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view showing a plurality of the trays ar ranged for shipment; Fig. 6 is a 'top plan view of a modified form of my tray. Fig. 7 is a central sectional View of the modification, and Fig. 8 is a section of a modification.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, I have shown an ash tray embodying the features of my invention at 10. This ash tray comprises a body portion 11 having an upstanding eripheral wall 12. The ash tray may be ma e from glass, metal, or suitable composition. It should preferably be made from material which will not burn readily.

It is desirable in producing ash trays that the trays be so constructed'that they will not allow ashes to fall on the table on which they are placed. it is also essential that means he provided for supporting lighted cigarettes or cigars. The tray should also be provided with some means for extingu shing cigarettes. lit is well known that cigarettes are the frequent cause of fires but with 10, 1925. Serial Ito. 8,133.

my invention, T feel that the the risk from smouldering cigarettes and cigars will be materially reduced.

Referring again to the drawing it will be seen that the tray is provided with a peripheral groove 1%. This groove is composed of an outer wall 15 and an inner wall 16. The lnner wall 16 is preferably of less length than the outer wall 15. With this-construction a cigarette 18- when placed vertically in the groove will be extinguished. Should the cigarette fall from this position the short inner wall will cause it to fall within the tray, thus reducing the fire risk. The shortened inner wall 16 also allows more ready insertion of a cigarette within the groove 14.

The walls of the groove 1% are so'arranged that after the cigarette is pressed into the groove the burningportion will be compacted and quickly squeezed so that the fire will be extinguished as explained.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 the groove 14 it will be noted extends almost entirely around the tray except for a portion shown at 20. The upper part of this portion 20 is preferably smooth and is provided with a pair of apertures 21 to receive pins 22 of a match box holdingprojection .23. The pins 22 are preferably removably held in the apertures 21 so that in shipping the match box holder can be inserted within the tray as shown in Fig. 5, thus allowing a plurality of trays tobe stacked one upon the other. The match holding projection-23 is preferably provided with a recess portion 24' which makes the tray lighter and also saves material.

Extending across the tray 10, ll show a transverse member 25. This transverse member 25 is preferably of a width corresponding to the thickness of the wall 12 and on each side of the transverse member ll provide a groove 26 upon which a cigarette or cigar may be temporarily deposited. By locating the transverse member as shown and by providing the groove 26 on this member it will be apparent that should any person carelessly leave a cigarette in the groove, the continued burning of the cigarette would do no harm.

Between the grooves 26 the transverse member is preferably narrowed and somewhat sharpened as shown at 27. This on ables theashes on the cigarette or cigar to be knocked off. Intermediate the extremities of the portion 27 I show a sharpened prong 28. This prong 28 maybe used by cigar smokers to pierce the wrapper when the cigar is burning unevenly and thus cause it to draw better and burn uniformly.

The bottom of each tray beneath the prong 28 is preferably providedwith a recess 29 into which the prong may fit when the trays are stacked as shown in Fig, 5. y

In Fig. 6 a modification of the invention is shown wherein the tray is provided with a groove 30 which forms a complete circle. In this modification the transverse member 31 is provided with sharpened portions 32 adjacent each edge and with an intermediate portion 33 which is provided with holding grooves 34.

In Fig. 8 the modified tray 35 is ovided with a recess 36 at one side. This recess is located within the wall of the tray. The

outer wall is shown as plane adjacent the recess 35 but elsewhere it may have a groove similar to the grooves 30. Within the recess 35 I arrange -a removable match box holding projection 37. By arranging the projection in this manner the upper surface of the traywill be of uniform height thereby saving in manufacture and shipping.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided an improved ash tray which can be economically manufactured', which allows free use without likelihood of soiling furniture and which is highly safe as regards fire risk.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: v

Anash tra comprising'in combination a body 'provic ed with a surrounding inner wall 'a transverse member extending entirely across the body and joined at both ends to the inner wall, said transverse member having plane parallel side faces for a portion of its extent, said parallel faces being joined to inclined faces, said inclined faces being arranged at an acute angle to'each other and meeting form a sharpened edge. the transverse member adjacent its inclined faces being provided with a plurality of upwardly directed grooves in its upper face forming rests for lighted cigarettes.-

In testimony whereof,'I hereunto affix my signature.

JOHN w. DILLION. 

